TV Review: Ghosts Series Two (2020)

Ghosts Series Two (2020) written, created by, and starring Matthew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard, and Ben Willbond

The travails of young couple Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) and Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe) continue as they try to turn their inherited haunted house (Button House) into a money-maker. The set of ghosts haunting the home are just as much a hinderance as a help. This second series of adventures provides a lot more of the same from the first series, with the addition of a Christmas episode, because the British love their yuletide ghost stories. A special standout is the episode where one of the ghosts is caught on film, drawing a lot of paranormal investigators to Button House. The actual ghosts are not interested in being exploited in such a cavalier manner, so Alison and Mike have to fake supernatural shenanigans in their actually haunted house. The writing on the whole series is very good. The premise gives them a lot of room for comedy and pathos, with characters from many different periods in English history having their own perspectives, foibles, and moments to shine. 

Recommended, though this is not for little kids--too many adult shenanigans.

Book Review: Batman: One Bad Day: Mr. Freeze by G. Duggan et al.

Batman: One Bad Day: Mr. Freeze written by Gerry Duggan and art by Matteo Scalera

Robin has a Christmas present for Victor Fries, better known as the villain Mr. Freeze. When the dynamic duo take down Freeze, instead of carting him off to jail, they take him to a secret lab. Victor was a brilliant scientist who froze his wife when she contracted an incurable disease. He hoped to find a cure while she was "preserved." Robin convinced Batman to set up the lab so Freeze could work on the thawing process for his wife. Can Victor keep himself together and find what he really wants? 

The story is okay. The plot is set up to show Victor's warped relationship to his wife. Victor has suffered a lot concerning his wife, as if he didn't have just "One Bad Day" but a bad lifetime. She is shown as the mentally-healthier member of the couple. She doesn't have enough influence on her husband to pull him back from going bad, which in his case is going selfish. The ending of this story is surprisingly upbeat and happy, not at all what I was expecting.

Mildly recommended.

Movies Reviews: The Mummy Franchise, 1940s-Era

For Halloween, I revisited Universal's Mummy series on DVD from the library. My review of first film, 1932's The Mummy, is here. The movie spawned four sequels in the 1940s and then Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy in 1955 (not included on the DVD set), along with a lot of imitators. Here are the Universal sequels in order of release...

The Mummy's Hand (1940) directed by Chris Cabanne

In a reboot of the franchise, Boris Karloff's character, Imhotep, is taken out and replaced with Kharis (Tom Tyler), also an ambitious high priest in love with an Egyptian princess named Ananka whom he tries to resurrect using tana leaves (in stead of the Scroll of Thoth from the original story). The Pharaoh has Kharis buried alive (like Imhotep) but a cult of priests keeps him clinging to life over the millennia with small doses of tana leaf tea (unlike Imhotep). Being kept barely alive for thousands of years is perhaps a more horrible fate than being buried alive. 

In the modern day, two adventurous con artists (Dick Foran and Wallace Ford) stumble upon a vase describing the location of Ananka's tomb. The historical expert they consult is friends with Egyptian expert Andoheb (George Zucco) who secretly is the latest of Kharis's keepers. Andoheb tries to convince the Americans that the vase is a fake but they still mount an expedition, getting some money out of a stage magician (Cecil Kellaway) who is supposed to spend his money on tickets back to America with his daughter and assistant Peggy (Marta Solvani). She's a no-nonsense girl who tries to get the money back after Andoheb warns her that shysters have stolen her dad's money. The con men are sincerely mounting the expedition to find the tomb (expecting to become famous and wealthy from the contents, so still a bit shytery), so everyone goes out to the desert. The mummy is revived with a stronger does of tana tea by Andoheb to deal with the Americans when they stumble upon Kharis's tomb. A lot of action and some horror follows.

The movie is an interesting change from the original. The mummy stays in bandages the whole time, unlike Karloff's character who moves through Cairo as an old man. The bandaged mummy from this film has become the standard depiction of horror-film mummies, though this particular incarnation has blackened eyes, giving him some of the sinsterness that Karloff had just by acting. This movie has a lot more comedy and focuses on action rather than horror. It's entertaining in a Saturday matinee way.

Recommended.

The Mummy's Tomb (1942) directed by Harold Young

The action jumps thirty years and over to America as an elderly Dick Foran relates his experiences in Egypt to his son John (John Hubbard) and his financee Isobel (Elyse Knox) who are skeptical. Meanwhile in Egypt, Andoheb (George Zucco) passes on the care of Kharis (now played by Lon Chaney, Jr.) to Mehemet (Turhan Bey). Mehemet takes Kharis to America so he can strike down the family that violated his tomb. Once Mehemet gets a sight of Isobel, he also adds a plan to kidnap her and make her his bride, just so the line of high priests who care for Kharis continues, of course. 

The mummy is less of a character and more of a Macguffin and a tool for Mehemet, the real villain of the story. For a brief moment Kharis resists his handler, but that ends quickly and he gets back to murdering by moonlight. The mummy has almost no character. Mehemet is the one pushing the revenge angle, though the actor is not as sinister as previous villains in the series. The mummy is taken down in the end by a torch-baring mob just like Frankenstein's monster, which felt a little lazy. Chaney does not get enough to do to make the character distinctly his own.

The main couple are nice together. They have genuine affection for each other. Beyond being the love interest for the hero and the villain, Isobel has little else to do, unfortunately. The son's skepticism is slow to change, even when his father's partner (Wallace Ford in old age makeup) shows up after the dad's funeral and tells the same story about Egypt. The son is not quite satisfactory as the leading man even when he gets the girl and the happy ending. He's not even depicted on the poster!

Mildly recommended--the franchise is definitely entering B-movie writing and production values.

The Mummy's Ghost (1944) directed by Reginald le Borg

There's another time jump forward (putting the narrative in the 1970s or 80s if you do the math, but that's not what this series is interested in). The events of the last film are a fading memory, refreshed by a college lecture on Egyptian history that references Ananka and Kharis's history. The prof remembers the mummy running around killing people but the students are more skeptical. Tom (Robert Lowery) is among the scoffers except his girlfriend Amina (Ramsay Ames) is of Egyptian descent. She gets a little spaced out when people discuss Egypt's ancient history. Her problems only get worse when Yousef Bey (John Carradine) comes to town. Bey is from Egypt and he's been sent by Andoheb (George Zucco yet again, even though he died in both of the previous movies!) to America to bring back both Kharis and Ananka so they can rest in peace in their own tombs. Bey uses tana leaves to attract and control Kharis. The prof stumbles upon the secret of the leaves (of which he has some) and accidentally draws the mummy to his home, starting the cycle of killings.

The narrative feels very similar, like the filmmakers are afraid to stray from the formula. Carradine makes a better villain and is even given a lot of sincere-sounding prayers to Egyptian gods for the success of his mission. He starts falling for Amina, struggling to resist the opportunity to make her and himself immortal rather than take everyone back to Egypt. Amina has a bit more character than the previous damsel, with her hair slowly turning white has Ananka's spirit dominates her. Chaney also gets to do more physical acting with some meaningful hand gestures and one very menacing scene where he approaches the camera to kill someone. The end in a swamp seems like the end for the characters. But you can't keep a profitable franchise down, even in New England swamp waters.

Mildly recommended--still a B-movie, Saturday matinee film.

The Mummy's Curse (1944) directed by Leslie Goodwins

The action jumps another twenty or thirty years ahead (so, the year 2000?). An archeological expedition has been sent to the swamp to recover the Mummy (Lon Chaney Jr.) and Princess Ananka (Virginia Christine). In an interesting twist, the swamp is now in Louisiana. A local company is draining the swamp as part of civic improvements. The company head, Pat Walsh (Addison Richards), is having trouble with his workers because they think the swamp is haunted by the Mummy. Cajun Joe (Kurt Katch), local roustabout, is too hard-headed to believe in mummies and rallies the locals to continue working. Head archeologist James Halsey (Dennis Moore) doesn't want to make trouble for the company but does want to recover the remains. He does get infatuated with Walsh's secretary (who is also his niece) Betty (Kay Harding). Halsey's assistant is Doctor Ilzor Zardad (Peter Coe) who is instantly identifiable as Egyptian because he wears a fez. Zardad is secretly a priest from the cult that's been keeping Kharis alive. Zardad wants to take the Mummy and Ananka back to Egypt where they can rest for eternity. In an interesting twist, he is not amorously infatuated with Ananka or Betty. He is dedicated to his mission, dedicated enough to send Kharis to kill anyone in their way.

Despite some logical and continuity problems, this is a solid B-movie thriller. Chaney doesn't do quite as much acting as the last film and is a little comical for the number of times the girl just gets away from him grabbing her. Christine is good as both the reincarnation of Ananka and a modern woman (presumably Amina?). She has some good schizophrenic moments and is probably the most three-dimensional character in the story. Coe is okay as the villain but never gets beyond a stock character performance. Some moments are a bit chilling, especially Ananka's drawn out resurrection from the swamps, which involves a lot of silent acting from Christine. There are no great surprising twists but still an enjoyable watch once.

Mildly recommended, a bit more than the previous film.

Webelos-o-ree 2023

My youngest son went to Webelos-o-ree in his Scouting BSA district. It's a chance for older cub scouts (4th and 5th graders) to visit with some scout troops (the middle school/high school-aged scouts). The younger ones go on a trail from station to station, doing different activities at each. The activities align with the rank advancement goals of Webelos and give the kids a chance to interact with troops that they might join in the future.

Typically, cubs go and camp for the weekend but the weather was bad and the schedule was tight for us, so we drove up early Saturday morning and just did the trail rather than the whole experience (which includes a campfire and camp-wide competitions, in addition to outdoor sleeping). 

After going to morning reveille (where we did our den cheer and found out what was going on that day), we started the trail at a station with gaga ball, box oven cooking, and fire building. I didn't get any pictures there. The adults from the troop did have chili and cornbread for parents. We adults sat with some of the troop's leaders and discussed how they implement the BSA program, where they met, what the fees were, etc. It's a conversation that happened at every station, more or less. 

Our next station was the rifle range, where the boys got to shoot BB guns. Our den enjoyed it very much.

 

Getting instruction from an older scout

Adult leader watches 

At each station, we repeated the den cheer as loud as possible, because it is fun to be loud!

Giving the den cheer

A later station had knot tying which is not my son's favorite scout activity but he did well.

Lashing two sticks together

In a nod to the previous day being Friday the 13th, one station had the boys identifying the bones of animals before they could come back to life and hurt someone. 

Are you for real?

Glad to have some hot chocolate to help identify critters

Further along, one troop was roasting a pig on a spit, which was impressive. The charcoal pit had been going since the early morning and the pig still was not ready.

Pig roast

Later, at a first aid station, the boys learned how to transport someone without moving them too much.

An improved stretcher

Building fire without matches or a lighter is a classic scout skill that they practiced at another station. It was hard to get the wet kindling lit in the rainy, cold weather.

Making sparks

Blowing to encourage the fire

The final station we went to was the axe yard. There, scouts learned to use saws and axes in a safe manner.

Ready to chop some wood

Getting some pointers

A good chop!

In the saw station, he saw his older brother who helped him use a bow saw.

Bow-sawing brothers!

We came home with a lot of happy memories and one target sheet full of BB holes.

A bang up job

Book Review: The Monster Movies of Universal Studios by James L. Neibaur

The Monster Movies of Universal Studios by James L. Neibaur

This review of monster movies from the classic period (from the 1930s Dracula featuring Bela Lugosi and Frankenstein featuring Boris Karloff) hits all the monster films, finishing with the Creature from the Black Lagoon series and the Abbott and Costello Meets... movies. Each film gets a bit of background, a plot synopsis, some artistic discussion, and the reaction of critics and audiences. It's straightforward and easy to read, providing inspiration to visit or revisit (or avoid) some classics in the horror genre.

Mildly recommended--if you are a fan of this era and genre of film making, you will enjoy the book.

Dessert Beers 2023

I saw a bunch of dessert-themed beers at the store the other day, so I thought I would put together a custom six-pack. Usually, wines or aperitifs are the alcohols that fall into the "dessert" category. With the explosion of brewers across America (and indeed, across the world), plenty of experimental brews have been crafted. Sweet desserts may not be the first thing one thinks of when thinking of beer, or even pairing with beer. But heavier, darker beers make a nice contrast or can highlight complimentary flavors. One of my Wars of the Christmas Novelty Ales was a dessert edition, so here is a bit of a sequel. 

Here's my sampling:

Chocolate Volcano, a chocolate dessert stout by Heavy Seas Beer, Baltimore (9% alcohol by volume). The label says, "Chocolate Volcano blasts your tongue with a lava flow of velvety richness. Overflowing with decadent chocolate flavor, you better take cover. Chocolate Volcano erupts all year." They don't exaggerate about the velvety smoothness of this stout. The chocolate flavor competes with a smoky, ashy hint of bitterness (which must be the "volcano" part, right?). The flavor is strong enough to stand on its own--it certainly does not need to be paired with something else. I find it very tasty and satisfying on its own.

The PastryArchy: S'mores Dessert Stout, a chocolate dessert stout by DuClaw Brewing Company (7.5% alcohol by volume). The label states, "You don't have to go camping to enjoy this treat! Take in the notes of smooth chocolate, toasted marshmallow, and golden graham cracker as you sip and enjoy this tall glass of layered perfection." The velvety texture is even stronger in this stout, bordering on a syrupy consistency, with out the gross connotations that has. It's more like liquid chocolate than chocolate syrup. I can taste the smoke of the toasted marshmallow but not much (if any) graham cracker. But the chocolaty smoothness is so impressive that it might be overshadowing the rest of the intended flavors. This is one fabulous dessert beer.

Sticky Bun Stout by Harpoon Brewery (7.5% alcohol by volume). The label does not say very much: "brewed with natural flavors and real sticky buns from Flour Bakery Cafe, a collaboration to raise money for Camp Harbor View." Camp Harbor View is a Boston-area non-profit that provides a special summer camp for middle- and high-schoolers to develop leadership skills and have life-enriching experiences. This beer is a very mild stout with a sugary sweetness that takes the edge off almost completely. Only wisps of the smoky flavor are still there. It's a lighter, easier drink than the previous beer. I like the flavor a lot but not as much as the S'mores.

S'more Porter by Saranac Brewing Company (6.2% alcohol by volume). The label is all business: "It's like a liquid s'more with flavors of marshmallow and graham crackers aged on chocolate and vanilla." Apart from the weirdness of aging the crackers on the chocolate and the unconventional (but not unprecedented) use of the singular "s'more," the description is very accurate. I get the graham cracker flavor though someone burned that marshmallow (again, an unconventional but not unprecedented approach to making s'mores). The smokiness is a bit more bitter than in the stouts above. It does not have the velvety texture of the other ales. The potent flavor makes it a "stand alone" drink, not needing to be paired with anything in order to enjoy it or pull out the best flavors. I like this but don't love it.

The PastryArchy: Cookies and Cream White Stout by DuClaw Brewing Company (8.0% alcohol by volume). The label is supremely verbose: "Inspired by the iconic combination of chocolatey cookie crumbles dunked in delicious vanilla ice cream, we introduce you to 'The PastryArchy Cookies & Cream,' a roasty, full-bodied white stout infused with cookies and cream ice cream, lactose, & cacao for a beautiful golden beer. Made in collaboration with Maryland-based, family-owned creamery, Keyes Creamery in celebration of their tenth anniversary and three generations of a family dream." I've never seen a golden stout before. If I was blindfolded, I probably would not guess the color correctly. It does have that distinctive stout flavor. The chocolate flavor blends well with the stout. The cream flavor is a nice contrast, though the beer does not have the smoothness of other beers on this list. The delayed bitter aftertaste makes this taste less like a dessert beer, though it is tasty as a beer.

The Amazing Kosmicki's KBS Chocolate Cherry by Founders Brewing (11.6% alcohol by volume). This label has even more verbiage: "Our flagship bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout shows off its more romantic side with KBS Chocolate Cherry! The rich sweetness of chocolate and slight coffee bitterness blend perfectly with the brightness of cherry juice to bring you an alluring sensory experience perfect for cozying up with your sweetie." This beer seems like it should be a disaster on many fronts. I don't like coffee-flavored beers. I really don't like cherry flavor in beers, having experienced Kreik lambic in Belgium (fruit in general is not a good ingredient for beer). It pours thick like it's cough syrup. The brewers managed to make several negatives into a positive. The cherry, coffee, and chocolate flavors are excellently balanced. No one is overpowering and the combo actually tastes good. The bourbon-barrel flavor kicks in at the right time to make this a multifaceted beverage that is satisfying on its own. It's very dark and very flavorful. I like it a lot. The high alcohol content is a bit much, so only one a night for me.

Book Review: The British Paranormal Society: Time Out of Mind by C. Roberson et al.

The British Paranormal Society: Time Out of Mind story by Chris Roberson, art by Andrea Mutti, and colors by Lee Loughridge

Investigating two separate mysteries, Simon Bruttenholm and Honora Grant go to the British village Noxton. Honora is investigating the local spring festival which has some very strange elements, least of which is the substitution of a Gray Man for the typical Green Man. Simon has come in search of his assistant who went to Noxton to investigate an ancient stone circle. The locals are very quiet about both mysteries, inspiring these members of the British Paranormal Society to dig deeper into what is going on.

The story moves quickly and has some nice moments. Quaint villages and customs naturally raise the hairs on the back of horror fans' heads, where the likes of The Wicker Man or Midsommar are floating around. The art conveys weirdness and tension without being needlessly graphic. The heroes are fun to root for and they make a good team. I hope some more stories like this are told of the British Paranormal Society.

Recommended.

Movie Review: Morbius (2022)

Morbius (2022) directed by Daniel Espinosa

Doctor Michael Morbius (Jared Leto) has spent his whole life under the shadow of his illness. He has a rare blood disease that leaves him weak and vulnerable. Even so, he works hard and becomes a research doctor investigating the blood disease with hopes of curing himself and others like him. His research is financed by his childhood friend Milo (Matt Smith) who suffers from the same debilitating condition. Morbius comes to the conclusion that combining human and bat DNA could create a cure. Tests on mice have been mostly unsuccessful until they are successful. He then tests the cure on himself with dire consequences. He develops an insatiable desire for blood, along with superhuman speed, strength, and the ability to fly (but not to turn into a bat). His previous work led him to develop a blood substitute that satiates his desire, but only for a time. Milo finds out about the change in Morbius and wants the strength and health that Morbius now experiences. Morbius tries to warn him of the price to be paid but Milo isn't as smart or as ethical as his friend. Morbius struggles to control himself while Milo indulges himself.

With an interesting start, it is a wonder that the film goes wrong. The premise combines a self-inflicted monstrosity with the sympathetic, reluctant vampire. Morbius knows his vampire urges are wrong and struggles to control them, even though they do come in handy in some situations. Leto can't quite deliver the right performance. He doesn't have enough charm to be really likable nor does he have enough pathos to earn empathy from the audience. He just goes through the motions. Smith, as the villainous indulger of his vampiric powers, is not as evil as he could be. He has disregard for other people but not the sort of ruthless glee or aggression for a memorable villain. The movie has some effective horror moments and the special effects are top notch. The story just isn't engaging or satisfying. The characters aren't well-written enough for the actors to make them great or even interesting.

Not recommended--for Marvel completists only. 

TV Review: The Prisoner (1967)

The Prisoner (1967) created by Patrick McGoohan

A secret agent (Patrick McGoohan) vehemently resigns from his job. He returns to his London flat, planning to travel for leisure. That plan is thwarted when he is gassed and taken to The Village, a remote and isolated community where everyone is identified by a number. The Prisoner is Number Six; the head of The Village is Number Two. Number Two wants information, specifically why Number Six resigned. The show is a battle of wills between Number Six who demands his freedom and individuality and the various Number Twos. When a Number Two is defeated or outlasted by Number Six at the end of an episode, a new person takes on the role of Number Two and tries a different method to break Number Six or make him conform. 

This superficially straightforward though odd premise is turned into a surrealist nightmare for Number Six. He resists the urgings of Number Two to conform. He tries to find allies or convince others to rebel against The Village's status quo, where everyone else seems happy to conform. The Village seems idyllic except that there is no freedom, especially to leave. Anyone who makes too much effort is attacked by Rover, a giant fabric ball that skims along across the ground or the water with a roaring sound. Its presence is very odd and very unnerving (and the most extreme element of the show's surrealism). The Number Twos use a lot of technology, mostly fanciful, to make individuals conform. There's brainwashing, identity switches, and other extreme measure (even an election pitting Six against Two for head of The Village).

The elaborate production is very odd and eclectic. It was mostly filmed in Portmeirion, Wales, a town with a whimsical architectural hodge-podge of buildings and open spaces. The place has a timeless and locationaless feel that establishes the isolation and inescapability the show needs. The contrast with London's urban sprawl and mass of unrelated people is striking. The Village people wear very similar clothing (there's only one shop, after all) and have the happy, conformist attitude viewers expect from Stepford Wives or Nineteen Eighty-Four. Their attitudes put off both Number Six and the viewer, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere, as when everything is too neatly arranged. The strange world makes the mystery more mysterious and intriguing, as long as the viewer is willing to go along with the more outlandish elements. The show as a whole could be interpreted as artsy-fartsy and too-self-aware, but I find it fascinating and challenging.

Recommended for an odd televisual experience. The show is 17 fifty-minute episodes and streams on Kanopy for free with a library membership.

Book Review: Bearing False Witness by Rodney Stark

Bearing False Witness: Debunking Centuries of Anti-Catholic History by Rodney Stark

Bigotry is something that seems ubiquitous in human societies. While no one looks at themselves as bigoted, they can point plenty of fingers at other individuals, groups, or institutions as deliberately or inherently/systematically biased. While contemporary media has its darlings who are legitimate victims of stereotypical attitudes, the fact is a lot more people and groups have been and are targeted by misinformed opinions and accusations. This book focuses on the Catholic Church, which has had plenty of legitimate criticisms but also a whole host of falsehoods and wild exaggerations. 

Author Rodney Stark makes an important distinction in his introduction, "I am not a Roman Catholic, and I did not write this book in defense of the Church. I wrote it in defense of history." [p. 7] He looks at issues like the Inquisition, slavery, the Crusades, Anti-Semitism, and suppressed Gospels from historical research, i.e. what actually happened. He considers the contexts both of the events and of subsequent authors (like those of the self-proclaimed Enlightenment in the 1600s and 1700s), many who had a lot of influence and personal bias against the Church. Stark acknowledges shortcomings while setting the record straight. His writing is very straightforward and honest, with plenty of endnotes and an extended bibliography. If you want a more in-depth and accurate appraisal of the Crusades or Galileo's condemnation or Pope Pius XII's relationship with fascism, this is the book for you.

It's amazing how many egregious errors stick around for centuries and centuries.

Highly recommended.

The book is discussed in A Good Story is Hard to Find podcast #315. Check it out!

Pumpkin Beers 2023

While I usually eschew fruit-flavored beers and make fun of the pumpkin spice craze every late summer and fall, I decided to give some pumpkin-flavored (or maybe just themed?) beers a try since there was a huge selection at my local big box liquor store. 

The Great'er Pumpkin from Heavy Seas Beer, Baltimore (10 per cent alcohol by volume)--The label describes it thusly: "As fall approaches and thoughts turn to Halloween, we roll out The Great'er Pumpkin. A copper ale with notes of vanilla, oak, pumpkin and flavors of autumnal spice." The featured description, under the name on the large label, says it is "brewed with pumpkin and spices aged in bourbon barrels." So the longer description leaves out a significant detail. I am a sucker for beers aged in bourbon barrels since I discovered them in England ten years ago (around 2013, not sure exactly when). The ale does have a delightfully coppery color that matches the hint of bourbon. The pumpkin is stronger than the bourbon but does not overwhelm it. So too with the spices, they are well-blended to enhance the flavor without taking it over. The rich flavor is warming and delightful, like being on the upwind side of a campfire. I found it quite delightful, though the hefty ten per cent alcohol makes it a one-bottle-a-night drink for me.

Jacques Au Lantern from Evolution Craft Brewing Company, Salisbury, Maryland (6.3 per cent alcohol by volume)--The label just says, "Belgian Style Pumpkin Ale." On the company's web site, they tell a bit more about the brew: "Our fall seasonal is an unfiltered amber ale brewed with pumpkin and spices, and fermented with a Belgian yeast strain. Roasted pumpkin is added to the mash along with traditional pumpkin pie spices creating a classic fall beer. Pairs well with turkey, roasted root vegetables, sharp cheeses, apple crisp, pumpkin and pecan pie." The body of the beer is light and smooth, with balanced flavorings of pumpkin and spices. It's easy to drink and doesn't overwhelm the palate or the appetite. It also does not stand out. It's a fine brew and would go well with an autumn festivity like a Halloween party or Thanksgiving dinner. I am not sure it stands on its own, it needs at least some salty snack to provide a contrast or a sweet dessert to pair up with.

Baked Pumpkin Ale by Lancaster Brewing Company, Lancaster, Pennsylvania (7.5 per cent alcohol by volume)--The label describes this as, "Have your pie and drink it too! The bold flavors and deep amber color of our Baked Pumpkin Ale bring to mind freshly baked pumpkin pie." The flavor is not very sweet with more spice than pumpkin in the flavor. Maybe the baking takes some of the sweetness and intensity off the fruit? This tastes to me more like a winter spice ale than a fall pumpkin ale. They did not quite get the pie flavor (though a beer with some aftertaste of crust would be interesting). Not a favorite.

Stingy Jack by Lone Oak Farm Brewing Company, Olney, Maryland (6.5 per cent alcohol by volume)--The label only says, "Belgian Style Pumpkin Ale" with no more description. The company's web site does not provide any more detail. The brew has a creamy feel and a sour aftertaste that is different from the others above. The pumpkin flavor is there but it is not dominant. The spices are good but that weird aftertaste is so strange. I find it a bit off-putting, like a pumpkin pie crust that got a bit burned. Maybe you don't want crust-flavor in your beer. This also is not a favorite. 

Country Pumpkin by Ithaca Beer Company, Ithaca, New York (5.9 per cent alcohol by volume)--The label only has the name and the brewery...not even the ABV! I had to look it up on their web site. The online description says, "Country Pumpkin offers the comforting warmth of Fall. A delightful deep golden-orange glow highlights the subtle sweetness of pumpkin spice and complex, malt-forward flavor with a surprisingly dry finish. A wonderful seasonal ale to curl up with on a cool, crisp Autumn evening." It's light on the spice and on the pumpkin but still has the nice flavor of an amber ale. The spice is enough to give it the autumnal outdoorsy feel, like it would be good at a campfire. But the whole lack of pumpkin flavor is a deal breaker for sure. Slap a new label on it and I'd be happy.

Pumpkinhead by Shipyard Brewing Company, Portland, Maine (4.5 per cent alcohol by volume)--Another label with no description! The web site is much less modest, claiming "The Greatest Pumpkin Beer of All Time. Pumpkinhead is a crisp, refreshing wheat ale with delightful aromatics and subtle spice flavor. To celebrate the fall season, we enhance the pumpkin flavor with a proprietary blend of spices including cinnamon and nutmeg. A proper pint of Pumpkinhead is served in a pint glass rimmed with sugar and cinnamon and often accompanied by a shot of spiced rum or vanilla vodka." Well, I didn't rim my pint glass with sugar and cinnamon and I don't have any spiced rum of vanilla vodka at home, so perhaps I am not getting the optimal experience. I thought it was just okay. The pumpkin and the spices are indeed subtle, giving a little sharpness to the wheat beer base. It drinks smoothly and is quite enjoyable on its own. It might need the extras to make it the "Greatest of All Time," which means it is not the greatest on its own.

Book Review: Incorruptible Vol. 6 by M. Waid et al.

Incorruptible Volume 6 created and written by Mark Waid and art by Marcio Takara

Max Damage is working on a new project now that The Plutonian is back on Earth. Meanwhile, the group of villains who want a piece of Coalville get taken over by Plutonian's old enemy St. Lucifer. He's got his own project too that may or may not be compatible with Max's. The plot moves forward slowly until the inevitable confrontation between Max and Plutonian, yielding some cryptic results.

The story is less clear than it used to be and less interesting too. There's only one volume left, so I will finish it just to see where they are going.

Mildly recommended--I'm coasting on inertia here.

Movie Review: Therapy for a Vampire (2014)

Therapy for a Vampire (2014) written and directed by David Ruhm

A vampire couple moves to Vienna in the 1930s. They've been together for hundreds of years and have become unhappy with each other and themselves. Count Geza (Tobias Moretti) goes to therapy with Dr. Sigmund Freud (Karl Fischer) and is as honest as he can be about his problems--Freud obviously doesn't believe in vampires and is too busy scribbling in his notebook to notice the Count levitating above the couch. The Count tells how Countess Elsa (Jeannette Hain) is very concerned about her appearance which she cannot see. Freud chalks it up to a mental illness that she doesn't perceive her own reflection and recommends an artist paint her to show her true self. He has just the painter--Viktor (Dominic Oley) has been doing sketches of the dreams that Freud's patients have had. Viktor has made many paintings of his girlfriend Lucy (Cornelia Ivancan), though he often changes her appearance which is frustrating for Lucy. Why can't Viktor accept her the way she is? Viktor had given a painting to Freud. When Count Geza sees the painting in Freud's office, he thinks Lucy is the reincarnation of his true love who had died before he met Elsa. He's been waiting a really long time for their reunion and hopes to make Lucy into his original love, Nadila. The Count sends Elsa to the painter as he tries to woo Lucy.

Given the premise and the fact the movie is a German production, I was a little worried that it would be too sexualized or overly Freudian. The movie is a comedy tinged with the tragedy of not appreciating other people, especially those closest to us. Everyone, except for Viktor, wants more out of their lives that they cannot quite achieve on their own. They have a hard time understanding themselves (the inability to see a reflection leads into self-unawareness for the vampires, but other characters also seem self-unaware). The movie has a lot of farcical elements and scenes, giving it a light touch. The sexuality is very discreet, surprisingly so for a twenty-first century production. The actors do a great job with their characters who are interesting and sympathetic; they are not stock goodies and baddies. The viewer understands the frustration that leads to acting out in inappropriate (but often comic) ways. The movie and cast are very charming without the bleakness or gore that a lot of modern vampire films go for. I was surprise by how enjoyable it was.

Recommended, highly for vampire/horror fans.

The Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum, Baltimore

The Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum in Baltimore, Maryland, is a small townhouse where Poe lived with his family for a few years in the 1830s. He met his wife, Virginia Eliza Clemm, in Baltimore during this period. He also began writing short fiction in this house.

Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum

Historic certification!

The front parlor has a lot of stuff in it--the reception desk and shop, a history of the house on a screen, some mementos, the family tree, and a list of fiction he wrote in the house.

Parlor

Family tree

A list of stories written here (at least that's what the research shows)

Upstairs a wall has many testimonials from other writers and famous figures who were influenced by Poe's work, including Stephen King and Alfred Hitchcock.

Best graffiti ever?

King's appreciation

Poe had an interest in astronomy and the family owned a telescope!

Poe's peeper

They also have a portable writing desk from that time, probably the first "laptop" for composing on teh go.

He can write anywhere!

Upstairs mantel

Poe came back to Baltimore in 1849 for a few months. He died under very unusual circumstances, found drunk in a bar with someone else's clothes on. After going to the hospital, Poe died on October 7, 1849, from what might have been rabies or a brain aliment or complications from drinking. No clear evidence is available but you can read a summary here. He had two graves. When he died he was not so famous as he would become and was buried in a family plot. Decades later, his prominence led to moving his body to Westminster Presbyterian Church in Baltimore with a large memorial.

Grave information

The top room in the house is called the "garret bedroom." Some think that he slept up here but the stairs accessing it go through the room that the women of the house would have used, so he probably did not go traipsing through their room. He most likely slept with his cousin in the back bedroom. The museum has decorated it as if it was Edgar's anyway.

Garret bedroom

More of the bedroom

"Five Poes" by Robert Sullivan

The house has an old-time map of Baltimore showing various places related to Poe, including the house, other places he stayed, and his burial site.

Poe's Baltimore (click to enlarge)

List of sites

The museum is very small and requires pre-purchased tickets. Any fan will want to check it out.